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Trio of first basemen nearing rehab stints

Logan Morrison is set to move to first base for the Marlins and could see his stats improve in '13 if his right knee remains healthy

By Joe Frisaro and Joe Morgan
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MLB.com |

MIAMI -- Class A Jupiter is about to load up on first basemen.

Three could be joining the Hammerheads next week.

The Marlins are expecting Logan Morrison to begin his rehab assignment with Jupiter on Monday. A day or two later, Casey Kotchman and Joe Mahoney are projected to join the club.

Morrison, who opened the season on the 60-day disabled list, has been playing in extended spring training games. The left-handed-hitting first baseman is recovering from right knee surgery.

"LoMo, they're planning on him going out in rehab on Monday," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "We'll see how that goes."

Kotchman strained his right hamstring in the second game of the season, and on May 8 he was transferred to the 60-day DL. Mahoney went on the 15-day disabled list on April 30 with a strained right hamstring.

By rule, position players can spend a maximum of 20 days on rehab assignment.

Morrison is eligible to be reinstated on May 30, but June 1 is a more realistic date.

All three will be splitting time either playing first base or designated hitter.

Also on Monday, Nathan Eovaldi, on the 60-day DL with right shoulder inflammation, is scheduled to throw about 45 pitches in a simulated game.

"It looks like hopefully all those guys will be right around the same time [back]," Redmond said.

Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton, out with a right hamstring strain, has been playing catch and hitting off a tee. Sometime next week, the All-Star may start some light jogging.

Donovan Solano, on the disabled list since May 7 with a left oblique strain, has been throwing, but he hasn't swung a bat.